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It was 60 days in the past that Morgan Rogers found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as his coach admonished him over failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. At that point, as the club endured a six-game winless run, the question was if Rogers' form were a symptom or the reason of the team's wider issues.

“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”

On Sunday, however, the manager's outburst proved to be decidedly more positive. As Rogers curled home his second strike to reinstate his side's advantage, the boss tore off his coat, opened his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club marched on to a 10th successive win , after failing to win their opening six matches, now sit a mere three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Challengers?

This is a rather hard proposition to resolve. History, the traditional standing of Villa, suggests not. Additionally, they've rarely been entirely convincing in many games, despite the fact the victories have accumulated.

Per statistical analysis, twice all season have Villa registered an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a side who have put together 10 in a row, Villa look weirdly vulnerable – but at the moment the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach appears to be to exchange chances with an opponent before hoping their star man to save the day with two precise efforts. This was the case away to Leeds, it occurred in London, and once more against Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal came from an exquisite effort, arced right inside the post from a wide position. The follow-up goal acted as a slight scruffier version of his first capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.

“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opponents registered more shots and more efforts on goal. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those matches.

Regression to the mean might be the greatest opponent Villa will encounter as the season progresses. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot keep on drilling the football into the net's top corner forever.

A Case for Belief

Could it be a different scenario where, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures could still find their top level.

• The main striker may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• The winger might become the player he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs are set to return from injury, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defence.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a title challenge, but they surely can continue to depend solely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, nobody expected this. Nobody thought the team would sit third at Christmas. And most definitely earlier this season, few could imagine Rogers as the year closed would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title and appearing as an essential Three Lions star.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed exactly since it feels so unlikely. As the match-winner faced the home supporters after the match leading the celebrations, he appeared to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. Such periods do not happen often and must be appreciated.